That's La Plagne contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon affiliate program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission - at no extra cost to you. I never recommend anything I haven't experienced myself, and the commission helps me keep this site running at full speed! See my Disclosure Policy for extra information.
La Plagne ski holidays and dietary requirements
Dietary requirements & food shopping, La Plagne
Heading skiing with family and friends should be a magical time. But any type of holiday with food intolerances can definitely be a challenge. Especially active holidays like skiing and snowboarding.
As you may know, après ski and food are a huge part of an alpine experience and a successful ski holiday. Whether you’re dreaming of crèpes and pain au chocolat for breakfast or a traditional Savoyarde fondue for dinner, those winter ski temptations are all around you!
The issue comes when you, a family member, or friends have food intolerances or follow a restricted diet. It can seem like these delicious treats, which are such a part of a ski holiday, are off-limits.
But I’m here to tell you that they aren’t! Hopefully, knowing that you can find some of these ingredients and food products in La Plagne will help reassure you that La Plagne is an excellent ski holiday destination for those with specific dietary requirements.
Just a note – if you have food allergies or food intolerances or suspect that you do, then you must consult a doctor or dietician. This post is for informational use only and does not constitute medical advice in any way.
Planning your meals for your La Plagne holiday?
My Restaurant Guide includes 70+ restaurants, family recommendations, takeaway options, mountain restaurants and local favourites.
Dietary requirements in France
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: dietary requirements in France are not always catered for, which can come as a surprise. France is known for its haute cuisine. And it is centred around meat and dairy products. If you eat these items, you’re lucky, as they are abundant throughout La Plagne. However, if you follow a plant-based diet or have intolerances restricting these products, you’re probably keen to know what vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free menus and products you can find in La Plagne.
Whilst I do eat meat and dairy, I was vegetarian for a long time and try to follow a reduced meat diet. So when I'm out and about reviewing the best La Plagne restaurants, I always pay extra atention to the vegan and vegetarain options. Quite often, they are the dishes I'll choose, but even if I don't I'll still try to cover the menu options in my review for any vegan or vegetarian readers. I recently covered La Plagne’s best vegan and vegetarian restaurants.
And it is true that there are more catered ski holiday and ski chalet companies that can cater to vegan diets, as well as food allergies and intolerances. But if you are keeping the cost of your ski holiday down with a self-catered ski holiday, then you need to know what food products you can find throughout La Plagne on your ski holiday.
Whether you're a seasoned vegan, following a gluten-free diet or lactose intolerant, hopefully, this article will clear up some questions about what food products are available from the various shops around La Plagne.
I found a good range of products for different dietary requirements and food allergies and can't wait to share them with you all. When planning your next ski holiday to La Plagne, knowing that you can buy these specialist products will hopefully help you relax and enjoy your winter holiday.
If there is something specific you are looking for and I haven’t mentioned it, drop me a comment below, and I’ll get the answers for you. Hopefully, this review will have something for everyone.
Let's dive in!
What are the La Plagne supermarkets like?
La Plagne is made up of 11 smaller villages connected by pistes and free shuttle buses. Each town in La Plagne has a replication of the core typical village shops: Spar supermarket, bakery, tabac and tourist information.
For food shopping, your main shop will be the Spar mini supermarkets, which you can find in Plagne Centre, Plagne 1800, Plagne Soleil, Aime 2000, Bellecôte and Belle Plagne. Then there is also a Sherpa mini market in Plagne Centre. Whilst you can use the mini supermarkets in La Plagne, it is easier, cheaper and better to stop down the mountain if you can. The supermarkets are larger and have a range of produce to choose from – especially if you need specific ingredients and produce.
It’s also worth remembering the bakeries in each village and the cheese and charcuterie shops for those eating meat and dairy.
There was a full butcher in La Plagne Centre until 2022, but it has now closed. However, if you want a specific cut of meat, you can order it with them the day before, with payment on the order.
When researching this article and speaking to the shop staff, they order most of their products at the start of the winter. So, they have more variety of vegan, dairy-free, and plant-based milk at the start of winter. But fewer choices are left after February peak season (i.e. the kids term ski holidays).
Vegan food shopping, La Plagne
First up is the dairy selection – or non-dairy section.
I found some delicious plant-based alternatives from the dairy section of both the Spar and Sherpa supermarkets in Plagne Centre. The other La Plagne village supermarkets will also carry a similar/same range. I found:
Oat milk | Almond Milk | Coconut Milk | Soya Milk | Coconut Yoghurt | Goat milk yoghurt | Sheep milk yoghurt.
I couldn’t find any lactose-free dairy products at all while writing this. So if this is something you or your family needs, you will need to make alternative arrangements.
I didn’t find any vegan cream or vegan cheese. I did ask at the cheese shop (fromagerie) in Plagne Centre, but the lady looked at me like I had two heads..! So, whilst plant-free diets are becoming more common in France, getting some products that would be standard in UK supermarkets is still challenging.
There's also more information here about the best vegn and vegatarian restaurants in La Plagne here.
Gluten-free food shopping, La Plagne
In France, people traditionally buy their bread daily from the boulangerie (bakery). Most French villages will have a small bakery at their centre. However, you can get pre-sliced bread from the Spar and Sherpa supermarkets. I found two gluten-free sliced bread options at the Spar.
I then checked at the bakery in Plagne Centre, the only bakery in the resort providing baguettes for all the other satellite locations. They don’t make gluten-free baguettes or any gluten-free products.
Speaking to the supermarket staff they have a selection of cakes, biscuits, and muffins. But I couldn’t find gluten-free flour or pasta anywhere in La Plagne.
Theres more information here about La Plagne's best gluten-free restaurants here.
Need more restaurant options?
My Restaurant Guide includes every restaurant in La Plagne organised by resort, budget, family suitability and cuisine. Plus where you'll find the best wine lists to pair with delicious menus.
Halal food in La Plagne
Finding halal food in La Plagne requires a little planning, but it's possible. However, I wouldn't rely on the mini-supermarkets in resort, but stop at one of the larger supermarkets in the valley or on the way to La Plagne.
When it comes to eating out, dedicated halal restaurants are limited in the resort. However, some restaurants offer vegetarian, fish and seafood dishes, while others may be able to accommodate halal requirements if contacted in advance. As always in France, it's best to ask staff directly about ingredients and preparation methods if this is important to you.
For the latest information on where to buy halal food, recommended restaurants and practical tips for your ski holiday, take a look at my full guide to halal food in La Plagne.
Daily food shopping, La Plagne
Snack food, La Plagne
Next, I wandered over to the snack aisle and found a few gems. It’s quite standard in France to have a strong selection of dried fruit and nuts for snacking on. So if these are part of your diet, you’ll find a good selection. These also make a great snack option on chairlifts and while out skiing.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, La Plagne
In the produce section of all the Spars, you can load up on fresh fruits and veggies like strawberries, avocados, kale, and sweet potatoes. These will be perfect for smoothies, salads, roasted dishes, and everything in between. However, you will be paying a premium for these items – a small shop for one person can easily set you back 50€.
Basic food shopping, La Plagne
Finally, getting your daily staples and filling your kitchen for the week is quite easy. You’ll find canned beans, pasta sauces, lentils and quinoa. These items always come in handy when I need a quick and easy meal. Plus, they're versatile enough to use in many different recipes. There is a large pasta selection and some wholemeal pasta, but no gluten-free pasta options.
Shopping for food intolerances in La Plagne
Overall, my “food allergen and dietary requirements” grocery haul was more successful than expected. It is still difficult to find some products, but compared to 10 years ago, the selections are much better.
But really, just remember that a ski holiday in La Plagne – or anywhere in the world, is not just about the food – or the skiing! So take the time to relax, enjoy your time in the mountains, and create those magical memories with your loved ones.
What are your must-have food products? Is there anything I’ve missed that you’d like to know about?
Let me know in the comments below!
TOP TIPS
- If you can shop in the valley, do it. The supermarkets are full-size and much cheaper than the mountain mini-markets.
- Opening hours. Don’t forget that supermarkets in the valley often close on Sundays and at 8 pm daily. Up the mountain, several mini-markets close for a siesta between 1230 and 1430.
- If there is an important/critical item for your diet, I recommend bringing it with you OR getting it ordered and delivered to your accommodation. I have had several friends do this with baby formula or lactose-free milk, which we couldn’t rely on finding in La Plagne.
GET YOUR LA PLAGNE RESTAURANT GUIDE HERE
Instead of searching dozens of articles, get your complete Restaurant Guide with:
- Takeaway options
- 70+ restaurants
- Family recommendations
- Resort-by-resort listings
- Local favourites
- Mountain restaurants
PIN THIS POST TO SAVE FOR LATER
3 Comments